Paul Schnelle Memorial Service | October 24, 2020

Paul Schnelle Memorial Service | October 24, 2020

To the Glory of God and in Memory of Rev. Paul Schnelle

Rev. Gregory Mech | October 24, 2020 | Immanuel Lutheran Church – Joplin, Missouri | 3:00 pm

OBITUARY — Paul Virgil Schnelle, age 89, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 in his home in Carthage, MO.

Paul was born December 29th, 1930 in Meinert, MO to parents William and Electa Schnelle (née Haubein). He was preceded in death by his late siblings: Olan, Ruth, Wilma Von Strohe (née Schnelle), Thelma Boehne (née Schnelle), and Elmer Schnelle. Paul graduated from St. Paul’s High School (1950) and College (1952) in Concordia, MO. On June 6, 1954, he married his loving wife, Joan Evan (née Offerman) at Zion Lutheran Church in Meinert, MO. Paul continued his studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1957. 

Following his graduation, Paul served congregations for 50 years in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Texas, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas. This faithful service to Christ did not end with Paul’s retirement in 2007: he continued to teach adult Bible classes, sing in the church choir, and witness to everyone whom he met. He touched many lives with his kindness and compassion; Paul always wore his shoes to follow in the footsteps of the Lord. 

Paul is survived by his precious “Joanie” and his 8 beloved children: Douglas, Kimberly Davis (née Schnelle), Dana, Ethan, Andrea Brauer (née Schnelle), Rhonda Nelson (née Schnelle), Aaron, and Rachel Schnelle. He cherished his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. 

Due to concerns associated with COVID-19, the location of the funeral service has been changed. Graveside services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2020, in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery at Meinert. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, please be mindful of maintaining a social distance. Also, you are welcome to and indeed, requested to wear face masks to protect yourselves and others.  

In honor of Paul’s dedication to the Lord’s ministry, his family suggests memorial donations be directed to Lutheran Hour Ministries or Answers in Genesis. 

Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.

https://www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/Paul-Virgil-Schnelle?obId=18098274

To the Glory of God and in Memory of Paul Virgil Schnelle

3:00 pm — Saturday, October 24, 2020

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10

– Pastor Paul Schnelle’s confirmation verse

Pre-Service Music — Andrea and Hannah

INVOCATION and REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM

P In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19
C Amen.

P In Holy Baptism, the Reverend Paul Schnelle was clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness that covered all his sin.  St. Paul says, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
C “For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.” Romans 6:3-5

ENTRANCE HYMN “For All the Saints” LSB 677 sts. 1,3,4,6,7,8

Daniel — trumpet
Andrea — accompaniment 

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day:
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, 
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!

KYRIE, SALUTATION and COLLECT OF THE DAY

P Lord, have mercy upon us.
C Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Mark 10:47

P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.

P Let us pray. O God of grace and mercy, we give thanks for Your loving-kindness shown to Paul and to all Your servants who, having finished their course in faith, now rest from their labors.  Grant that we also may be faithful unto death and receive the crown of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT Job 19:23-27

Oh that my words were written! 
Oh that they were inscribed in a book! 
Oh that with an iron pen and lead 
they were engraved in the rock forever!
For I know that my Redeemer lives, 
and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 
And after my skin has been thus destroyed, 
yet in my flesh I shall see God, 
whom I shall see for myself, 
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!

A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL HYMN “Beautiful Savior” LSB 537

Beautiful Savior, King of Creation, 
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love Thee, Truly I’d serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.

Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flowers of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels in the sky.

Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, Praise, adoration
Now and forevermore be Thine!

NEW TESTAMENT Revelation 21:1–7

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.

VERSE  2 Timothy 4:6-8

P For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 
C I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

P Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, 
C and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

HOLY GOSPEL  John 14:1–11

P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the fourteenth chapter.
C Glory to You, O Lord.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to You, O Christ.

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY “I Know That My Redeemer Lives “ LSB 461 sts. 1,2,5,7,8

I know that my Redeemer lives; 
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives who once was dead; 
He lives, my ever-living head.

He lives triumphant from the grave; 
He lives eternally to save;
He lives all glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to silence all my fears; 
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart; 
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same; 
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

SERMON

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint. 
Isaiah 40:28-31

HYMN OF SUPPLICATION “Abide with Me” LSB 878 sts. 1,2,5,6

Doug — dulcimer

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? 
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still if Thou abide with me!

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P Let us pray to the Lord, our God and Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. Lord Jesus Christ, great Shepherd of Your flock, it has pleased You to call Paul Schnelle, a pastor to your people, into Your glorious presence. We thank and praise You for the blessings and mercy You bestowed on Your departed servant, especially for the years You permitted him to be Your undershepherd. We praise You for having kept him faithful in the face of trials and difficulties, for having given success to Your Word which he proclaimed, for having built Your temple in the hearts of many through his ministry, and for having given him a blessed death and reception into the kingdom of Your glory in heaven. Comfort all who mourn his departure, and help us gratefully to remember all who have spoken the Word of God to us as we await our joyful reunion in heaven, where You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, 

hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

CONCLUDING COLLECT

P Lord God, our shepherd, You gather the lambs of Your flock into the arms of Your mercy and bring them home. Comfort us with the certain hope of the resurrection to everlasting life and a joyful reunion with those we love who have died in the faith; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

BENEDICAMUS and BENEDICTION

P Let us bless the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.

P The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
C Amen.

HYMN “Onward, Christian Soldiers” LSB 662

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ the royal master Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle See His banners go! 
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

Like a mighty army moves the Church of God.
Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus Constant shall remain.
Gates of hell can never ‘gainst that Church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, And that cannot fail.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

Onward, then ye faithful, Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices In the triumph song:
“Glory, Laud and honor unto Christ, the king;”
This through countless ages men and angels sing.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.


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